West Bali National Park Retreat – The Menjangan

Set on beholding Bali’s beauty outside of the major tourist zones, we traveled four hours from the buzzy South Isle to the woodsy West Coast. Our goal: To get away. Away from throngs of tourists. Away from same-same shops. Away from beat-pumping beach clubs.

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We were pining after an actual postcard setting. We found it at The Menjangan (Indonesian for deer).
Positioned in a part of Bali where a slower pace of life is de rigueur—case in point: Donkeys pull carts toting branches along the roadside—the jungle retreat occupying 950 acres of Bali Barat National Park rides the line between safari and savvy; beach and beyond.

the beach

At the shorefront, a small collection of villas built using traditional Javanese architecture sit on a private stretch of sand fronting a beach so blue it’s as if the sea is reflecting the sky. Outdoor bathrooms add a touch of rustic to the abodes, while air condoning and upscale minimalist design mingling white linens and a sturdy four-post bed remind you you’re in a villa.

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A mile inland from Sentigi beach the rest of the retreat lingers in the jungle’s shadows. At the Monsoon Lodge, 14 thatched-roof rooms and two suites invoke the glamping aesthetic courtesy of alang-alang grass roofs, Bengkirai wood floors, and the lush setting (read: It’s not abnormal for a gecko to scurry across your ceiling) hugging a glowing pool and hot tub lit by rays of midday sun sneaking through the thick foliage.

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Safari vehicles link the Beach Villas, the Monsoon Lodge, and the Bali Tower, a five-tier structure busting high above the bush. Most days, we chose to wake up with the jungle and eat our breakfast at the Bali Tower, one of two restaurants onsite. (For the record: Savoring fresh fruit on a perch peering over the lush landscape has made breakfast every day since, a tad lacklustre.)

breakfast at the bali tower

After breakfast we made our way to the beach; sometimes on foot, sometimes via safari truck. It’s in moments like this you’re reminded you’re glamping in a national park. Deer roam about freely, monkeys hang from trees, and birds provide the ultimate far-flung soundtrack.

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Aside from one mid-afternoon monsoon “forcing” us to read in our outdoorsy abode, we spent our days alternating between sand and surf. Each morning at 10 a.m. we’d plant ourselves in our preferred lounges under one of the many trees providing shade at the beach. From here our daily itinerary was simple: Snooze, drink Bintang Beer (the local brew), cool off in the Bali Sea, or walk to the resort’s nearby jetty to don our snorkel gear.

pantai beach restaurant

When the sun set, we didn’t long for a scene or street full of restaurants. At The Menjangan, you crave what’s there: A five-seat bar at the beach, and a 10-table restaurant resting above the water. Here, under the glow of blue lanterns we ate local fish, sipped fresh-fruit cocktails, and celebrated a place where everyone had come for the away-from-it-all setting (and nobody cared if your hair still sported an ocean-sculpted hairdo).

Spotlight: Turtle Inn, Belize

Turtle Inn is a seafront getaway that combines natural wonders with luxury style. The friendly, attentive staff, three restaurants, a rejuvenating spa and idyllic seafront setting make Turtle Inn a perfect glamping refuge.

The 25-rooms range from villas, cottages, and beach houses. The classic thatched cottages and bungalows make you feel right at home on the beach. All the accommodations are decorated with handcrafted Balinese furnishing. The continual sea breezes keep everything cool. And, just steps beyond your private deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into the clear Caribbean ocean.

The unique location provides a wealth of exciting activities. The coral reef just offshore offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba opportunities in the world. Troll, spin-cast, or drop-fish in some of the most populated waters in the Caribbean. Barracuda, king mackerel, snapper, grouper, tuna and snook are among the many species that thrive here. Inland hikes to hidden lagoons, canoe trips up the Monkey River and the short bicycle ride into town will also enrich guests’ experiences in this magical country.

turtle-inn-3Photo: Turtle Inn website

Turtle Inn’s dive shop can accommodate the needs of both beginner and experienced divers. The Caribbean’s largest barrier reef lies just offshore from Turtle Inn, offering divers a magnificent diversity of coral and marine life to explore. There are a number of easily accessible cayes (tiny islands) with their own reefs and underwater ecosystems. Turtle Inn is dedicated to providing the best diving experience possible, regardless of skill level. They offer tours and a wide range of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certification courses. Visit the Dive Shop for a complete listing of our classes as well as some important information on diving tours and snorkeling options. Belize proudly maintains a reputation as one of the world’s best scuba destinations.

The best beach swimming in Belize is located in Placencia. The sandy beach and calm, clear waters create perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling as well as a host of other water-related adventures. Visit the Dive Shop for more information on renting sailing boats, snorkel gear, kayaks, and beach bicycles. Turtle Inn also has two infinity swimming pools, an oval-shaped infinity pool located between the Mare Restaurant and the Laughing Fish Bar and a triangular infinity pool with its striking ceramic turtle tiling and tranquil surroundings is located to the north of the property close to the Gauguin Grill.

turtle-inn-4Photo: Turtle Inn website

Dining open-air along the ocean’s shore is a feast for the senses. Savor fresh seafood and shellfish, the pure flavors of homegrown fruits and vegetables, or pizza from an authentic wood-burning oven. Then, relax with a cocktail at the seaside beach bar. Fresh seafood and traditional Italian cooking come together at Turtle Inn’s flagship restaurant, the Mare Restaurant. The Gauguin Grill features fresh, charcoal-grilled seafood including lobster, jumbo shrimp and snapper all served on woven plates accompanied by Balinese-inspired sauces. The Laughing Fish Bar provides a shady retreat to enjoy a wide selection of drinks. Bar stools sit directly on the golden-sand beach.

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Turtle Inn’s history makes it a true labor of love. Less than a year after Francis and Eleanor Coppola acquired the beachside refuge in 2001, it was swept out to sea by the forces of Hurricane Iris. Turning disaster into triumph, the Coppolas led a two-year reclamation project, creating a magnificent resort that is consistently ranked among the best in Central and South America.

Learn more about vacationing here on the Turtle Inn website.